Download - Chapter 17
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Investigative Resources
Chapter 17
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Objectives
• Describe the various resources to keep the investigator safe
• Describe various investigative tools that are necessary to work a fire scene
• Describe two types of cameras that can be used on the fire scene
• Describe the benefits of creating a local fire investigative association
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Case Study • An entire city block was burned• This fire was a great example of the use of
outside resources– Within hours, specialized units and personnel
showed up from federal, state and surrounding localities, including a K-9 accelerant dog from the ATF
• Next morning’s meeting revealed that the sample was positive for gasoline
• The perpetrator was never identified
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Introduction
• It is important for the fire officer to know about the tools and resources available to the assigned investigator
• Teamwork is more productive if the first responder understands all aspects of the full investigation
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Protecting the Investigator
• Fire suppression officer safety resources are limited to full turnout gear
• Assigned investigator should have several levels of protection available – From coveralls to fully encapsulated suits
• To ensure that all guidelines and regulations are met, best to approach those who enforce OSHA regulations
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Gloves
Figure 17-1 Everyinvestigator shouldhave an amplesupply of gloves ateach investigation.
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Testing the Environment
• Suppression forces should have been testing the environment before leaving the scene
• Best for the investigator to obtain a three or four-gas monitor/detector – Detector needs to measure at least available oxygen
and the carbon monoxide levels
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Tools
• Safety Tools– It may be necessary to enter a hazardous
environment involving potential ignitable vapors– Any metal tool is capable of creating a spark– Non-sparking tools are usually made of brass,
bronze, or other metal compounds– All tools need to be thoroughly cleaned and dried
• Do not use any oil-based lubricants
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The Investigator’s Toolbox
• Standard tools are needed – Assortment of screwdrivers and pliers – Socket along with extenders and handles – Various saws and cutting tools – Hammer, hatchet, and a small maul– Multi-tool containing knife
• Battery-operated tools are also a great assistance
• The best tools of all: mason’s trowels
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Larger Tools
• Shovels: Flat blade, pointed blade, and a large scoop shovel
• A fire axe is necessary for larger tasks • A hux bar, or similar tool, can be handy for
prying and forcing
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Lighting
• A good, strong, dependable flashlight is absolutely essential– Generator with floodlights also useful
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Location
• Technology can help identify the exact location of each piece of evidence discovered– Specialized tools can give an exact latitude and
longitude of each point at a fire scene– Create a computerized report showing the location
• A compass is essential to make sure the investigative diagrams are oriented correctly to magnetic north
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Camera
• Suppression personnel can make use of a good quality point-and-shoot camera– Minimum of 8-megapixel photos and at least 3x optics – Memory disc should be at least 1.0 gigabyte– Most limiting factor for any point-and-shoot camera is
the flash
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Camera (cont’d.)
• Assigned investigator should have a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera– With a larger flash attachment that accepts various
lenses– Manual settings that allow the photographer to
change the depth of field and shutter speed
• Depth of field is important
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Incident Management
• National Incident Management System is a template for all aspects of emergency services– Including the investigative scene
• Accountability process is essential to safety
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Additional Expertise
• An association should be created with neighboring jurisdictions– Purpose of most fire investigation associations is the
sharing of information – Creation of mutual aid between the jurisdictions– Training opportunities
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Forensics
• Specialized tools for the discovery and collection of latent prints
• Many other forensic tools and processes at the investigator’s disposal– Collection of residual blood for serology– Tool mark impression examination– Paint chip examination – Debris examination for trace residue of a petroleum
distillate
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State and Federal Resources
• State may have resources that can be of benefit – Investigators from the state police or state fire
marshal’s office may be able to assist on the scene
• Federal Bureau of Investigation has a great laboratory and personnel
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is an outstanding resource– Field agents, national response team, and laboratory
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Other Resources
• Many states have environmental agencies with enforcement divisions – Can assist with identification of unknown chemicals or
substances
• Chemistry teaching staff at a college can be a wealth of knowledge
• Local building contractor can provide training opportunities
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Detecting Accelerants
• Accelerant is something that accelerates the fire– Presence of an accelerant is not proof of an
intentionally set fire
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Hydrocarbon Detector
• Device that can discern the presence of a hydrocarbon fuel at a minute level – Gives an alert or provides a metered display
• Needs calibration on a regular basis • Advantageous to use a multi device
– Scan for the presence of hydrocarbons– Read the atmosphere for the lower explosive limit
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Accelerant Dogs
Figure 17-3 Theaccelerant dog is agreat resource forlocating the bestsample to send tothe laboratory.
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Insurance Companies
• Insurance company may send one of its own investigators
• Insurance fire investigator may determine that the fire was incendiary in nature – Can then deny the insurance claim based on the
terms of the policy
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Insurance Companies (cont’d.)
• Insurance investigator and assigned public investigator may work together– Arson immunity act usually provides ability of
insurance company to share information with public investigator without fear of civil liability
– Public investigator can share information but may need to keep criminal information confidential as per the jurisdictions investigative policy
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Specialized Investigations
• Bomb devices or postblast scenes may require the assistance of the bomb unit from police departments
• Wildland fires create unique scenes• Hazardous materials also provide unique
situations – Local or regional Hazardous Materials Response
Team could be of great value
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Specialized Information
• Even specialists may need to look up information that is not readily available in their resource manuals – The Internet is the next valuable resource
investigators have at their disposal
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Summary
• The first resource to consider are those that help protect the fire investigator on the scene – Policies and procedures must be created to ensure
that proper equipment is available
• Setting up a local fire investigation association allows neighboring jurisdictions to band together
• State and federal resources (such as ATF support) can also be a great help